CHELTENHAM SKITTLES LEAGUE
Founded 1906
Reformed 1938
Founding Members
1906
1908
1910
1910
1912
1912
1912
1919
1923
1930
1930
1931
1932
1933
William Tomkins Leonard was born in June 1877 in Cheltenham and along with Charles Baker was a founding member of the Cheltenham and District Skittle League in 1906. William Leonard became the Treasurer of the league and remained in that position until the out break of the Great war. Charles Baker becoming the League Secretary. William Leonard worked for many years as a compositor at the Gloucestershire Echo moving on to the Bath Herald before returning to Cheltenham and joining Messrs Harvey and Healing. In 1912 he became the Licensee of the Whitesmiths Arms in Gloucester Road, Cheltenham moving on to the Coach and Horses in Pittville in April 1919.He was the Hon. Secretary of the Cheltenham Rugby Club at the time of his death in March 1932 aged 54 years.
The Ryder Family
Arthur William Ryder played skittles for the Prince of Wales. Arthur was the father of Ivor Ryder, President of the Cheltenham Skittles League from 1948 'til 1973. Arthur was Landlord of the Little Crown in Commercial Street in 1903 and the Prince of Wales 1919-1927. He was on the committee of Skittle League and the Cheltenham Air Gun Club. Played bowls for the Exmouth and Norwood Bowls Clubs and the County from 1907-1910 and was County singles champion in 1909.
Arthur William Ryder
1912
1919
1933
Bill Ryder's son Ivor who became President of the reformed skittle league
Little Crown
Prince of Wales
Tom Crook was the Landlord of the Tivoli Inn in 1919-27. In 1911 he had the best average in the league and took the Arthur Miller prize and Tivoli Inn were champions in 1911-12
Sid Tibbles (born 1878 died Cheltenham 1963) was one of best players in the early days and won many medals playing for the Royal Oak in the High Street. He was born in Birmingham and was brought to Cheltenham by parents Sidney (Snr) and Emily when they became Landlord and Landlady of the Coopers Arms in 1891 in the Strand and later at the Engineers Arms in 1919 by 1926/27 Emily was Landlady. Sid (Jnr) was a hairdresser by trade. He was always invited to attend all end of season dinners whatever the team as he played the piano and all functions finished with a sing song.
Tom Crook 1912
Sid Tibbles 1912
Charles Oliver Dickens
President 1913-14
W Seward
Vicw President 1913-14
Photographs of known players
F Hillenbrand played for the Angle Stores had the highest score in 1915-16 season with 36 (3 hands) was a regular in the top scores in the 'Sporting Gossip' in the Echo.
F Carpenter
Syd Barnes
Also played cricket for Gloucestershire
League Secretary 1938-40
J Gardner (1851-1943) played for the Royal Oak 1910 onwards winning many trophies and his scores showed he was amongst the best.
When the league reformed in 1938 he became the Cheltenham Skittle League Secretary from 1938 'til 1940. He is the connection between the earlier league along with A E Sankey who became President of the reformed league 1938-1940
